One GOP candidate rejects Muslim-baiting

We’ve been putting some energy into tracking Muslim-baiting statements made by members of the GOP presidential field.

But at least one candidate, the libertarian-leaning former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson, is having none of it.

In an interview with Think Progress’ Scott Keyes last week, Johnson distanced himself from fellow third-tier candidate Herman Cain’s statement that he would not hire a Muslim to be in his cabinet.

Here’s the exchange:

KEYES: What do you make of this Islamophobia that we’ve been seeing? Do you think there’s a place for it?

JOHNSON: No, I don’t think there’s a place for it. But in the political arena, it is a topic of debate and discussion. And I wouldn’t hesitate to appoint a Muslim for a job. The basis for the job would be qualification for the job.

KEYES: Do you think Herman Cain was out of line to make that statement ?

JOHNSON: Well, I’ll leave that to others to judge, but that’s not a statement that I would have made.